I grew up in a ham radio family. My dad Norm, K9NA(SK), was licensed in 1932 at age 13 and I followed just short of my own 13th birthday in 1957. My younger brother Kevin, WB9LNE, continued the tradition a few years later. Mom Jennye was not a ham but accompanied dad to more than 20 Dayton Hamventions®. She said it was a great place to people-watch.

I spent my professional career in commercial photography, working mostly in the field of print advertising. Along the way, I have contributed to amateur radio media, penning the “Radio Classics” column for CQ Magazine as well as producing the photography used in CQ’s vintage radio calendars. A number of CQ front covers carried my credit line over the years.

In 2008, the ARRL published my book 50 Years of Amateur Radio Innovation, containing 500 original photographs of American transmitters, receivers, and transceivers produced between 1930 and 1980 (the Golden Age). Two years later, the League issued the book’s companion CD which contains an additional 800 photos and equipment descriptions not found in the book.

January 2014 saw the publication of the A History of QST Advertising book, my contribution to ARRL’s centennial celebration. A number of my QST vintage radio articles appeared in 2014, 2015, and 2016.

After a couple of decades collecting, using, and documenting gear from the vintage era, my interests have shifted to software defined radio and the digital modes. The new fascinations are an extension of what attracted me to ham radio as a youngster — the Pure Magicof it all. Some things don’t change, however. Most days still find me with a CW key in my hand for at least a QSO or two.